Avengers: Age of Ultron ****

Run Time: 142mins Cert: 12A

Synopsis: During a mission, the Avengers find technology which interests Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) to create an artificial intelligence entity which he feels is the only way to keep the world safe. However, Ultron (James Spader), is more hellbent on wiping out the Avengers than saving humanity.

Marvel and Joss Whedon return with an action packed, but darker sequel to their previous hit.

It was hard to believe that the first instalment worked so well. A comic book movie with more than three lead characters never works as a rule, but somehow The Avengers was a thrilling roller coaster ride but sadly lacking in story. By making the plot and the look of the film darker, Whedon has tried to do a different take for the sequel as Burton did with Batman Returns.

What he has actually done is repeat that exact same formula but with more characters. This time Scarlet Witch (Olsen) and Quicksilver have been added to the lineup along with familiar faces from other Marvel franchises. But the film seems to overload with characters each with their own subplot that never really becomes fully developed. Even Ultron is forgotten about have way through the film. The dialogue in the film is well written and at times incredibly funny.

In regards to Ultron, the effects are fantastic with the robot encapsulating Spader’a facial mannerisms. While the actor brings menace to his overall performance. But Ultron never comes across as a terrifying foe.

There are endless spectacular action sequences, from the Hulkbuster sequence to the climax. The film is never boring or dull. As usual with Marvel movies recently the final action set piece is far too long and could be cut down a bit.

The cast appear to be having a ball, with the same chemistry audiences witnessed in the previous film. This makes us care about the characters .

If the script had been more developed with fewer characters, this could have been significantly better than the first. What Joss Whedon has given us is more of the same but on a much grander scale.